ESPN report: Mentor allegedly took exam for Auburn football player; law firm investigating

by ESPN, Emma Simmons

(Auburn University)

AUBURN, Ala. —

In a report released on October 11th, ESPN announced that Auburn University hired a law firm to investigate allegations that an academic mentor took an online final exam for at least one Auburn football player in 2016.

A tutor who worked with the mentor questioned the football player about the exam after seeing he had received a perfect score. According to the tutor, the player said he did not take the test.

After the tutor made the mentor's supervisor aware of the incident, Auburn told her that her job wouldn't be renewed, calling her allegations "false." Auburn University's athletic department also released a statement, saying that the coworker's job was not renewed as a result of a dispute with a coworker.

However, the former tutor's attorney released an email that contradicts this statement, which says the tutor was placed on administrative leave while "the inquiry takes place" and "compliance goes through its process."

The mentor also denied the tutor's allegations, claiming she voluntarily left the Tiger Mentor Program to care for a sick relative.